‘She explained to me that she had stepped away to light the fireplace, and when she came back my son was crying and covered in blood.’

Sutter says she was originally told Dakota had only been left unattended for a few seconds – only to later find out that the youngster could have been left unattended for as long as five minutes.

Speaking to WLOX, she continued: ‘She said my son was laying on his cot sleeping, and the other child was next to him on his cot on the iPad when she stepped out of the room.

Dakota’s mother Latoye Sutter fears he may have endured up to five minutes of abuse by his attacker, who is said to have been kicked out of another daycare center for similar behavior (Picture: Latoye Sutter/Facebook)

‘She said they were okay… and the next thing she knew my son was crying, and when she came back over and turned the light on my son was standing there covered in blood.’

Mississippi Department of Health is now investigating the home daycare facility.

It was unlicensed despite caring for six children, with home daycare owners required to apply for permission to operate if they look after more than five youngsters.

Sutton says the child who attacked Dakota had previously been expelled from another daycare for similar behavior.

Police are now investigating the incident, but have refused to comment further.